Mitsu Yasukawa/ The Star-LedgerPedestrians cross the street at intersection of 2nd Avenue and Mt. Prospect Place in Newark.

For the first time in more than a half-century, the rules of engagement between pedestrians, drivers and New Jersey crosswalks are about to change.

A revised law that takes effect today will require drivers to come to a complete stop as soon as a pedestrian enters a crosswalk. Previously, drivers were only mandated to yield, an ambiguous direction authorities say lead to one of the highest rates of pedestrian fatalities in the nation.

"With these changes to our law, motorists and pedestrians will no longer have to play a game of chicken when it comes to maneuvering on our roadways," Attorney General Paula Dow said. "It is not enough to simply slow down."Will New Jersey drivers comply with the revised law requiring a full stop for pedestrians?pollsThe changes are designed to lower the number of pedestrian deaths, which account for more than 25 percent of all traffic fatalities in New Jersey. Since 2004, about 150 pedestrians have been killed each year on New Jersey streets. The number spiked to 159 last year after a three-year decline, according to the state Division of Highway Traffic Safety.

Among those killed was Casey Feldman, a 21-year-old college student who was struck at a four-way intersection in Ocean City last summer.

"The driver was distracted, reaching for an ice tea or something, and just went through the stop sign," said Joel Feldman, Casey’s father, who praised the updated law. "It all happened in broad daylight."

Penalties include any or all of the following: A $200 fine, up from $100; as long as 15 days of community service; two points assessed on your drivers license.

In addition, if a motorist hits a pedestrian, the burden of proof as to blame falls squarely on the driver. Previously, there was no legal standard.

The Legislature approve the measure during its lame duck session in January and then-Gov. Jon Corzine signed it into law before leaving office.

The goal of thestatute is to usher in a cultural sea change in how pedestrians and drivers interact on the state’s roadways, said Martin Robins, director emeritus of the Alan M. Voorhees Transportation Center at Rutgers University.

"As a pedestrian, you’re never quite sure if a motorist is going to stop," he said. "The statute changes the perception of what a motorist is supposed to do."

Some drivers complained it is often difficult to determine when a pedestrian wants to cross the street. They also worried about how the law will be enforced.

"I understand if (pedestrians) are crossing the street, but having to stop if they just step off the curb is unfair," Thomas Slade, 59, said as he stood alongside his pick-up truck in Newark. "Sometimes, they change their mind and go back to the sidewalk, and you end up looking like a fool."

Authorities plan to gradually phase in enforcement of the statute over the next few weeks, Dow said. Initially, police officers will hand violators a warning card that explains the new law. Signs on roads that now urge drivers to yield will also have to be changed.

Leslie Hernandez, 34, a crossing guard in Newark, said she hoped the new measure will lower the number of close calls she has with motorists in the city.

"Motorists do not yield that well," she said. "A lot of them say, ‘Oh, I didn’t see you,’ and they run right through the stop sign."